The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an…
This officer was comendador of the order of Santiago, chief-justice and governor of
Guatimala, the coast of the Honduras, and of Chiapa.He may have been about thirty-four
years of age when he came withus to New Spain. His build was both beautiful and strong;
his countenancewas all cheerfulness, and his eye had a remarkably sweet expression.It was
on account of his pleasant looks that the Mexicanscalled him Tonatio, or the sun. He was of
a slender figure, a splendidhorseman, open and agreeable in conversation, and remarkably
neat inhis dress, which was always of the richest stuffs. He usually wore asmall gold chain
about his neck, to which was suspended a fine jewel,and on one of his fingers a diamond
ring.
The chief justice and governor of Yucatan, Montejo, was of middling stature, had a
pleasant-looking countenance, was a good horseman, and much addicted to all kinds of
pleasures. He was about thirty-fiveyears of age when he came to New Spain, but was rather
a man of business than a soldier. He was generous of disposition, but lived beyond his
income.
Gonzalo de Sandoval was a man of extraordinary courage and of heroic valour. He was
twenty-two years of age when he joined us,soon became alguacil-mayor of New Spain, and
was, for the space ofeleven months, joint governor with Alonso de Estrada. The frame of
his body was of the most beautiful proportions, and gave to the beholderthe full expression
of muscular power; his chest was finely developed,his shoulders broad, and his legs rather
bowed. He had a large face,his hair and beard were of an auburn colour, and curled as it
was thenthe fashion. His voice was rough and unpleasant, and he had a slightlisp. He knew
no more of the arts and sciences than he required, wasnot in the least avaricious, and never
took more than his rightful share. He was fond of seeing soldiers act strictly up to their
commands, but favoured and assisted them in every possible manner. He was not a man
who put on rich garments, but dressed simply like a good soldier.His was the finest and
best rode horse of the whole troop; and a more splendid animal, according to general
opinion, was even not to be foundin Spain. It was of a chesnut colour, had a white star on
the forehead, and one of the left legs was white. This horse was called Motilla, and its
excellence has become a proverb; for when any one wants topraise a horse, he says, It is as
good as the Motilla. It was of thisofficer that Cortes said to the emperor, that there was a
captain amonghis troops who was never surpassed in courage and determination, andwho
was fit to command the largest armies. He was a native of Medellin, a hidalgo, and his
father had been alcalde of a fortress.
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Juan Velasquez de Leon, of Old Castile, may have been about twenty-sixyears of age when
he joined our ranks. His limbs were straightand beautifully formed; his chest and shoulders
were broad, and hewas altogether a powerful man. His face was full, and he used to dyehis
curly beard. His voice was harsh and unpleasant, and he stuttered a little. He was
uncommonly courageous, agreeable in conversation, and shared his last farthing with his
comrades. It was said of him that he had killed a wealthy and distinguished cavalier at
Hispaniola namedBasaltas, for which he was obliged to flee: the royal court of audience
indeed despatched alguacils to apprehend him, but he defended himselfso bravely against
them that he escaped to Cuba and thence to NewSpain. He was a splendid horseman, but
fought equally well on footas on horseback.
Diego de Ordas, a native of Campas, was forty years of age whenhe came to New Spain.
He was a capital officer with the sword andbuckler, but did not excel as a cavalry soldier.
He was equal to anyone in foresight and courage. He was rather tall and strong of limb;his
face carried with it the very expression of muscular power; hisbeard was thin and black. He
stuttered a little, and many words he could not pronounce plainly; but he was open and
agreeable in conversation.
The captain Luis Marin was a well-built, powerful, and courageous man. His legs were
rather bowed; his beard of a ruddy hue; hisface broad, rather pitted with the smallpox, but
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